Author: newsdesk

  • Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Rashid Khan is a fan of Lahori food, reveals favourite dish

    Afghan spinner Rashid Khan, who is part of Pakistan Super League (PSL 7) team Lahore Qalandars, has said that he has eaten Karachi food but Lahore food is very different.

    Speaking on Lahore Qalandars’ show, Rashid said that during his stay in Lahore, he will definitely get a chance to eat and he will go for it. “I like Lahore’s fish and will definitely eat Lahore’s fish,” he said. He further added that when he came with the U19 team, they stayed at the National Cricket Academy and ate fish. Until now they have not forgotten the fish and other items they ate.

    He said: “Lahore fans are getting a chance to see their team Lahore Qalandars in action after a break, we will give our best performances which cricket fans will enjoy.”

    Rashid Khan said: “I enjoy wherever I am playing, having fun with Lahore Qalandars, giving performances makes me more active.”

    While talking about his viral snake style, he said: “Celebration style is for fun, now the snake style has gone viral.” adding, “the style of playing the shots is not thoughtfully adopted, it just happens on the ground.”

    Talking about Shaheen Shah Afridi, he said: “Shaheen Afridi impressed me a lot. Did not think that he would become a very good captain. He keeps himself in control and makes decisions calmly, we all support him.”

  • 61% drinking water in the country unsafe to drink: report presented to Parliament

    61% drinking water in the country unsafe to drink: report presented to Parliament

    The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources has revealed that 61 per cent of drinking water in Pakistan is unsafe. The research also revealed that 93 per cent of water in Sindh’s capital Karachi is also unsafe. As per research, the water in 29 major cities is dangerously unsafe.

    “Overall, 62 per cent of the drinking water quality of these [29] major cities is unsafe. Underground water of these cities is full of turbidity, hardness, chloride, TDS, bacteriological and other chemicals,” reads the research produced by the PCRWR, which was presented before parliament earlier this month.

    “Long-term consumption of arsenic beyond the safe level may result in various health implications — symptoms of long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic which ultimately is developing skin cancer,” read the official document.

  • Govt decides to increase power tariff by Rs2.8 per unit

    Govt decides to increase power tariff by Rs2.8 per unit

    The government has decided to further increase the electricity tariff by Rs2.8 per unit, under the Circular Debt Management Plan (CDMP). The decision has been taken to collect an additional Rs292 billion from consumers as per the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    The tariff will go up from February to July this year, in two phases.

    As per the sources of The Nation, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE), which met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, was informed that the power sector circular debt has increased by Rs196b during the first six months (Jul-December) of the fiscal year 2021-22 as compared to the same period of the previous year and has increased to a record high of Rs2,476b.

    The first rise, of at least 63 paisa, is anticipated to be implemented from this month, bringing in Rs85 billion for the government till June of next year.

    However, because of the higher-than-expected currency devaluation, the Ministry of Energy has warned the cabinet committee that the rise might be as high as 75 paisa per unit. According to the decision, another hike of Rs2.17 per unit will be implemented in July, putting an additional cost of Rs207 billion on customers.

  • VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    VIDEO: Police officer slaps citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

    A video of an on-duty police officer is doing the rounds on social media in which he can be seen slapping a citizen outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Thursday.

    As per journalist Qadir Khawaja, the police officer in the video was DSP Gulberg Amir Abbas, who was stopping the man in the video from going into the wrong lane.

    In the video, the man can be seen leaving without saying anything after happened to him.

    According to details, Inspector General of Punjab Police Rao Sardar Ali Khan took notice of the incident of violence against staff/citizens by DSP Gulberg and sought a report from CCPO Lahore.

    According to a handout, the Punjab police chief directed DIG operations to personally conduct inquiry into the incident and submit a report to him at the earliest.

    He said incidents of indecent or immoral behaviour with subordinate staff and citizens are not acceptable and further action would be taken in light of the inquiry.

    The IG issued special instructions to Lahore Police on the occasion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Qaddafi Stadium Lahore for the security of players and spectators and for better traffic management.

    IG Punjab directed them to ensure best security to cricket fans coming to watch PSL matches. He also directed police personnel to perform their duties with diligence and treat citizens with courtesy.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that implementation of an approved traffic plan should be ensured for the convenience of the citizens and smooth flow of traffic.

    In this regard, additional wardens should be posted on the roads of alternative routes to control the additional traffic congestion.

    IG Punjab said that there should be no obstruction in the movement of emergency services vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade, etc., and diversions should be made for the transportation of teams and no road should be closed unnecessarily.

    Rao Sardar directed senior officers to review traffic management themselves and ensure smooth flow of traffic in all cases.

    He said that the citizens should be made aware of the traffic situation through the Rasta app, Rasta FM 88.6 social media and media.

    IGP also directed Dolphin teams to provide assistance to the traffic police in controlling the traffic whereas extensive parking arrangements for cricket fans should be carved out.

    Rao Sardar Ali Khan said that during the PSL matches, all the police teams should be on high alert and perform their duties and play their responsible role in the journey of revival of cricket in Pakistan and also provide a peaceful environment to cricket fans.

    He directed that lady police personnel should be deployed for the security and checking of female spectators.

    Meanwhile, on Thursday, PSL franchise Multan Sultans registered a 42-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi.

  • US becomes friendly when in need, later abandons Pakistan: PM Khan

    US becomes friendly when in need, later abandons Pakistan: PM Khan

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said that the United States (US) has also been “a good friend of Pakistan” but it hasn’t been an “all-weather friend” like China.

    In an interview with Dr Eric Li, Director of the Advisory Committee of the China Institute of Fudan University, PM Khan said: “There have been times when the US has been very friendly but then when they think Pakistan is not of use to them, then we get abandoned. Then they again sort of become friendly.” PM said that Pakistan became a frontline state against the Soviets in Afghanistan, Pakistan became a friend of the US, and “they even helped us and they were good to us”. He added that the moment the Soviets left, “they slapped sanctions on Pakistan”.

    “Ten years later when 9/11 happened, they [the US] again became very good to us but then when they could not win against Afghanistan, then we [Pakistan] were blamed for this debacle,” said PM Khan.

    PM Imran Khan said that with China, our relationship has been consistent for seven decades regardless of the government in power. “It’s a people-to-people friendship.”

    “When you have no clear aims why you invaded a country, it is going to be a failure. Anyone who thinks of controlling the Afghan people has not read their history,” said PM Khan when asked about the situation after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. He added that the whole mission of the US in Afghanistan was “based on a false premise”.

    On Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis, PM said, “If Afghanistan descends into chaos because of the sanctions, as its 75 percent economy depends on foreign aid, this will be the biggest manmade human disaster.”

    https://twitter.com/appcsocialmedia/status/1491987521630355456
  • Avenfield trust deed can’t be called forged, says Islamabad High Court

    Avenfield trust deed can’t be called forged, says Islamabad High Court

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday observed that the Avenfield trust deed involving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her brother Hussain Nawaz can’t be called forged or fake.

    A two-judge bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the appeals of Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar against their conviction in the Avenfield properties reference.

    The court observed that since both Maryam and Hussain never disowned the Avenfield trust deed, it could not be a forgery.

    “The trust deed can be termed back-dated or that the font used in the said document was different, but this cannot be called forgery,” said Justice Farooq.

    The IHC judge made the observation when the bench was informed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that they had proved forgery in the trust deed. The IHC stated that a lack of evidence would result in a different verdict.

    It mentioned that if the father made the property illegally and gave it to the son, would the daughter be found guilty? The court said that the petitioner should just prove that NAB could not prove the case, nothing else is required.

    Maryam Nawaz’s counsel, Irfan Qadir, said that NAB did not complete the basic details of the case, the actual value, and source of the assets were not mentioned in advance. Also, it does not meet the requirements of Section 9-A of the NAB Ordinance. If the court wants, it can give bail to Maryam Nawaz.

    NAB prosecutor Sardar Mazhar mentioned that Maryam Nawaz claimed to be the trustee of the property.

    “NAB has proved through evidence that Maryam was their beneficial owner and forgery in the trust deed, which was confirmed by the trust deed deposited in the Supreme Court before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).”

    The court directed all the parties to look into the case papers and adjourned the hearing till February 17.

  • Instagram music feature is now available in Pakistan

    Instagram music feature is now available in Pakistan

    Instagram music is now available for Pakistani users, who were deprived of using this feature till now.

    Instagram music feature was introduced in June 2018 but due to some legal issues, it was not available in Pakistan. Reportedly, Instagram did not acquire a music license for this region earlier, which is why Pakistani users would get a message, “Instagram Music is not available in your region.”

    Now Pakistani users will be able to use the Instagram music feature and add any music genre of their choice from all over the world.

    To add this feature, you are required to tap on the sticker option and add the music feature to photos and videos in your stories.

    You can either choose from the dropdown list or browse music of your choice to add to your stories.

  • ‘Well done Pakistan’: 58% of eligible population fully vaccinated

    Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that 58 per cent of Pakistan’s eligible population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. He also mentioned that Pakistan has set a record by administering 2.24 million Covid-19 vaccination doses in a day.

    “Another record set with 2.24 million vaccinations in a day. Last 4 days in a row we have vaccinated more than 2 million each day. Every 3 out of 4 Pakistanis eligible for vaccination have received at least 1 dose. 58% are fully vaccinated. Well done Pakistan,” the minister wrote in his tweet.

    As per the National Command Operation Center (NCOC), Pakistan recorded 3,498 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours with 39 people losing their lives to the deadly virus.

  • Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    A video clip from a match between Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans has been circulating on social media in which Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan can be seen diving to catch the bowl but he ended up colliding with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani. Though the catch was safely taken by Dahani, netizens cannot stop praising both Rizwan and the 23-year-old speedster for their dedication and perfection.

    In the video, we see Kamran Akmal hitting the ball in the air off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling. The wicket-keeper-batter and the pacer were both getting under it to take the catch.

    Even the Sultans’ all-rounder Khushdil Shah shared the video on Twitter and said that he loved the reaction of Dahani after catching the ball.

    One of the users termed Sultans as the “cutest team to exist”.

    One user said: “Really loved the reaction of Rizwan, many could have lost it at that moment but he showed once again why he is a very good leader.”

    While former cricketer Azhar Mahmood’s wife Ebba Qureshi said that she can watch this video on loop.

    Multan took their unbeaten streak to six wins from as many games by securing a 42-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that Sultans became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in the ongoing seventh edition of the PSL.

    The defending champions kicked off their PSL 7 campaign from where they left last season, and till now they are the only team to have defended successfully. They are comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 12 points.

    The Sultans’ players also took to Twitter to celebrate their sixth consecutive win in the league.

  • Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Khan admits failure, awards only 10 favourite ministers: Bilawal

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday said that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had himself admitted failure of his entire cabinet by awarding ‘best performance’ certificates to only 10 ‘blue-eyed’ federal ministers.

    Taking a jibe at Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Bilawal said that Imran Khan had committed a ‘great injustice’ to Multan for not conferring a certificate on Qureshi while distributing performance certificates.

    He said PM Imran had given a certificate to the minister who halted the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and also conferred a certificate on another who had promised to create a Seraiki province in 90 days. He gave another certificate to a minister who was removed from one ministry but now held the planning portfolio for “planning the sugar, gas, petrol, medicine and fertiliser crises in the country”.

    PM Khan on Thursday awarded appreciation certificates to the “top 10 best performing federal ministries” under his government, with the communications ministry, planning ministry, and poverty alleviation division getting top honours of first, second and third respectively.

    “When I came [into power], I had very revolutionary ideas to bring sudden changes but I realised our system doesn’t have the capability to absorb sudden shocks [and only by] incentivising will we bring positive changes in our bureaucracy and ministries,” said PM Khan.

    The premier further said that the government and ministries had not given the desired results. “The biggest problem is that there has been no connection between the government and the interest of the country,” he added.

    “Are our ministries performing how to stabilise the country through increasing exports and how the condition of the people can be improved, how poverty can be eliminated?” he asked.